32 Degrees Paintball

32 Degrees Paintball was an American paintball equipment brand owned by National Paintball Supply (NPS), a New Jersey-based company operated by Gino Postorivo. The brand produced paintball clothing, pod harnesses, gear bags, markers, paintballs and accessories during the late 1990s and 2000s. Its products were marketed towards recreational and tournament players, with an emphasis on affordable equipment.[1][2]

History

32 Degrees was developed as part of National Paintball Supply's range of proprietary paintball brands. United States trademark records document commercial use of the slogan 32 Degrees As Cool As Ice from 1 August 1997. National Paintball Supply filed a trademark application on 31 July 1998, with registration granted on 27 July 1999.[2]

By 1999, the brand was being promoted at major paintball tournaments. At the 1999 NPPL World Cup in Orlando, National Paintball Supply operated beside a playing field carrying 32 Degrees branding.[3]

At the 2000 NPPL Chicago Open, National Paintball Supply supplied 32 Degrees jerseys to teams that agreed to wear them throughout the tournament. The company also sold its 32 Degrees Team Colors paintballs at the event.[4]

In August 2001, National Paintball Supply presented updated 32 Degrees jersey designs at the International Amateur Open. The range included children's sizes and a sleeveless Tribal Vest intended for playing in warmer conditions.[5]

The company continued exhibiting 32 Degrees soft goods at major tournaments, including the 2003 PSP World Cup.[6]

Change of ownership

In December 2006, the 32 Degrees trademark was transferred from National Paintball Supply to AJ Acquisition I LLC. The company subsequently became KEE Action Sports in February 2007.[7]

The Canadian registration for the 32 Degrees trademark was cancelled on 24 September 2020 following a failure to renew. This administrative date does not establish when the brand ceased manufacturing products.[7]

Products

32 Degrees offered a range of paintball clothing and equipment.

Clothing and soft goods

Documented product categories included:

Paintball jerseys – Tournament jerseys produced in various colours and designs, including the brand's recognisable flame-pattern styles.
Tribal Vest – A sleeveless paintball jersey design documented in 2001.
Paintball trousers – Clothing intended for recreational and competitive paintball.
Gloves – Protective handwear for paintball players.
Pod harnesses – Equipment for carrying spare paintballs during games.
Gear bags – Equipment storage and transport bags.

The company's gear bags were among the prizes awarded at the 2001 Mardi Gras Open, while its jerseys and sleeveless clothing were documented in contemporary tournament trade-show coverage.[5][8]

Markers and accessories

Although associated with clothing and accessories, 32 Degrees also offered paintball markers and mechanical components.

Its marker range included the Rebel series, the Icon and PT Xtreme. National Paintball Supply also collaborated with Smart Parts on limited-edition 32 Degrees Impulse markers.[5][9]

The brand additionally marketed paintballs under the Team Colors name and sold barrels, grips and other marker accessories.[4][5]

Tournament involvement

32 Degrees maintained a presence at major American paintball tournaments through National Paintball Supply's exhibition, sponsorship and promotional activities.

Documented activities included:

1999 NPPL World Cup – Playing-field branding and a National Paintball Supply exhibition presence.
2000 NPPL Chicago Open – Provision of jerseys to participating teams and sales of 32 Degrees paintballs.
2000 Spyder Cup – Event sponsorship through National Paintball Supply.
2001 Mardi Gras Open – 32 Degrees gear bags included in tournament prize packages.
2003 PSP World Cup – 32 Degrees soft goods exhibited by National Paintball Supply.[3][4][6][8][10]

References